Igniter system.



No. 865,662. PATENTED SEPT. 10, 1907. R. VARLEY.

IGNITER SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11. 1906.

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PATENTED SEPT. 10, 1907.

R. VARLBY.

IGNITER SYSTEM. APPLICATION rum) MAY 11.1906.

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.. 1 1% MM W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD VARLEY, OF ENGLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE AUTOCOIL COMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

IGNITER SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 10, 1907.

Application filed May 11,1906. Serial No. 816,258.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Rrouiinn VARLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Englewood, in the county oi Bergen and State oi New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignition Systems, oi which the following is a lull, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an ignition system for explosion engines, particularly in connection with motor vehicles where both a battery and a dynamo are provided to iurnish the necessary current.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an apparatus [or timing the action of the primary current, and properly distributing the secondary current,

which is suitable to the nature of both the battery and the dynamo, and which is capable of utilizing either as desired.

A further object oi the invention is to accomplish all the above functions in a single timing and distributing switch box, together with. a single switch element or commutator, and further to render the mechanical construction and arrangement very strong, practical and ellicient.

With those and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination, in the location and in the arrangement of parts, as hereinafter set iorth and shown, and finally particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a partly diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of the circuits and apparatus which I employ, of which Fig. l is a detail sectional view of the commutator on the line A, lookingin the direction of the arrows; Fig. 2 is a sectional view oi the timing mechanism. This section is taken on the line llll oi Fig. 3, looking in the direction oi the arrows; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line III-J11 of Fig. 2.

It will be understood that the conditions are different when a dynamo is used for ignition purposes, than when a battery is employed. A battery has substantially nc sell inductance, so that the iull strength oi current flows therefrom immediately when. its circuit is closed. On the other hand, a dynamo has a large amount oi sell inductance, so that current does not arrive at its iull strength until an appreciable interval alter the circuit is closed. This is very much more the case if the dynamo is sell exciting.- On this account it is important to have the circuit oi the dynamo closed -ior as long a period as possible, when the dyname is being used for ignition purposes.

In my prior application, Serial No. 289,179, filed November 27th, 1.905, I have set forth in diagrammatic form the principles oi an ignition system in which a maximum period is given tor the dynamo to remain in closed circuit relation, or, in other words,

the period of charging the coil preliminary to a spark. By the present invention I secure the same arrangement, and in addition provide means by which the timing and distributing is suited to the requirements of a battery, and by which the battery may be substituted when desired.

When the battery is in circuit it is desirable to economize current, and since an interval is not necessary for the purposes of overcoming seli inductance, a very much shorter charging period is required. In practice the interval of charging is'so short that it is possible to obtain a number of sparks during the igni tion period, and it is accordingly customary to use a vibrator with the induction coil when the battery is in circuit. The vibrator gives a rapid succession of sparks, in place of a single powerful spark which is secured by the dynamo, and the somewhat heavy i11- duction coil used therewith. In carrying out my invention I, therefore, aim to secure all the desirable conditions which should accompany battery ignition, as well as those appropriate to dynamo ignition. I further aim to secure these conditions without disturbing the proper timing of the ignition in the cylinders.

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are designated by the same reference sign, 1 indicates a box or casing which is mounted to have a certain rotative adjustment. The way in which this rotative adjustment is secured, is unimportant and may be of any well known sort. This feature iorms no part of the present invention. 8 5

Oo-axial with the box or casing l, is a shaft 2, which 'I will term the half-time shaft, it being understood that this is a shaft geared or connected to rotate at any predetermined relation to the engine speed. 3 indicates a cam upon this shaft, which I form as shown in Fig. 2, that is to say, cylindrical, with sharply incut portions 3. The remaining cylindrical portions 3 are equally spaced from one another, and each occupies a small angle, say 15, of the periphery.

Mounted to vibrate in proximity to the cam 3, are two separately movable fingers or blades 4 and 5. The finger 4 is pivoted in the casing at G, and carries a cam roller 7. 8 indicates a spring by which the linger and cam roller are normally pressed inward against the cam 3. "he blade or linger 5 is conveniently a springy piece of metal, iixed to a metallic piece 9, upon an insulating support 10.

11 indicates an adjustment screw by which the resiliency impelled movement of the blade 5 toward the cam 3 is limited.

Before considering the electrical connections of the above mentioned parts, I will refer to the remaining mechanical features of the timer and distributor, and also to the switch or commutator used.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, I have indicated a practical method lor securing the distributing blade upon the hall time shalt. l2 denotes a rigid support. conveniently ol steel or metal. keyed to the hall-time shaft 2. by screws 13. In this way is t'ormcd a head which has a true and concentric rotation with the halltime shalt. H indicates an insulating sleeve or cap, which slips upon the head and is lastencd in place by cotter pin. or other means. l5. .lti indicatts the dis tributing switch blade lastened to the lace ol the insulating cap H. In this way the switch blade is ellectnally insulated lrom the hall time shalt and lrom the primarycircuits. Thesectmdarycurrent is admitted to the switch blade It; by a screw 17. bolted through the insulating cover 18 of the casing. and lorming a terminal lor the connection ol the secondary circuit wire. The connections lor the various spark plugs are made by the contacts l5), suitably spaced around the casing in the path of the distributing blade 16. The switch is desig nated at 20. and comprises a revoluble element 2], formed of insulating material. and supported by bearings 22. 23 denotes a milled wheel. by which the rotative element is turned. Upon the periphery ol the insulating material or element 21. are a number of segments 2t, 23 and 2(5. of which 21 is a simple curved strip occupying a limited arc ol say 90 on the insulating element. The segments 25 and 26 are shaped in a peculiar way. each having a narrow portion (1. occupying rather more than a semi-circumlerence, and a broad portion 1). occupying less than a senti cir('umlerence, the relation being shown in Fig. l. 27 and 28 are a pair ol lixed plates in the path of the segment 24. 29, 30. 31 and 32 are lixed springs or blades in the path of the segment 25. and bearing thereon at diametrically opposite points. in the relation as shown in Fig. 1.v The blades 29, 30 and 31 are in the path ol the broad part b of the segment, while the blade 32 is the only one engaged by the narrow part a. 33, 34 and 35 denote additional springs or blades. having a relation to the segment 26 similar to the relation of the above blades to their segment 25. Ol these last mentioned blades only 35 is in the path ol the narrow part (L of the scg ment. In addition to the above named springs and contacts. there is an additional connection provided by the spring 36, lixed to bear on the segment 24 in all re lations thereof.

I will now consider the operation ol the above mechanism and the connections and elt'ects ol the various electric circuits employed. We will first suppose that it is desired to operate exclusively lrom the dynamo shown at D. The apparatus is shown in Fig. 1 in its neutral relation when neither the dynamo nor the battery are connected. In order to connect the dynamo the milled wheel .3 is turned to the left until the segment 2 t contacts with the plate 27. and the segments 25 and 26 engage the various blades 29, 30 and By this movement the spring blades 31 and 3-1 are wholly disconnected but blades 32 and 35 remain in circuit since they bear on the continuous ring portion (1 ol the segments. T lie lollowing circuits are completed: from dynamo D, wire to, blade 33, segment 2o blade 35, wire of, primary P, wire m blade 2.). segment blade 32. wire in, through a connection 37, wire m to the primary contact 38. which. is held on an insulating support 39 in the path of the linger &. From contact 38 the ctn'rent makes a closed circuit to ground it the linger l l l vibrator.

-'l happens to be resting thereagainst. The shalt 2 is, however, rotating in the direction oi the arrow in Fig. 1 and at a particular point of the revolution the cam 3 abruptly engages the cam roller 7 moving the linger -'l, and breaking the primary circuit at 3 This causes a spark in the secondary current as lollows: lrom secondary S wire 11/, plate 27. segment 2-l, blade 3o, wire it (shown in Fig. 2-) and diagrammatically represented in Fig. 1), distributing switch blade lti. This blade has a sulliciently long peripheral edge -l0 to insure acir uit. to one or another ol the contacts it) which lead to the arious spark plugs in a manner which is well known and need not be described.

The primary c :uit being thus broken, as above described. and the ignition spark made. it is advantageous to re-close the primary circuit as speedily as may be. Since the pivoted linger l was given an abrupt movement to br *ak the circuit and is necessarily heavy to stand the wear and tear, it is evident that there will be quite an interval belore the inertia ol this linger will permit it to return against the contact 2-38. in the interim a contact is. therelore. made in another way 1 s lollows: At the instant ol the primary break the spring linger or blade 5 lies out ol contact with the cam I). but is in a position to engage such cam alter a short movement thereol. say 20. Accordingl 20 alter the primary break at the point 38. the blade 5 engages the surlacc 3. completingthe primary circuit as lollows: lrom dynamo I), through wires in. in? and in. into segment. 25. as belore. and lrom thence through a wire 0 to connection ll. wire 0'. to plate 9 and blade and lrom thence through cam 3 to ground.

This gives the dynamo a chance to build up and thoroughly charge its induction coil and by the time this circuit is broken by the onward movement ol the cam. the pivoted linger l is re turned against the contact 38. The blade 5 is arranged. ol course. to clear the cam before the next rupture ol the primary circuit at the point I) scribed.

. occurring as above de- \ccordingly when the dynamo is iti circuit. the dynamo induction coil has a chance to charge up during about ol rotative movement, which is about the maximum time possible. When the battery is thrown imo circuit. however. new condititms are developed. The battery induction coil has a primary I and a secondary 5*. V indicates the usual in order to throw the battery into circuit. the knob 23 is turned to the right. so that the segment 24 is in contact with plate 28. Under these circumstances the broad parts 1) ol segments 25 and 26 are disengaged lrom blades 29. 30 and 33. and pass into coittact with blades 1% l and 3 (Iurrent passes lrom battery 13 through blades 3-l and 35. through coil P wire blade 3]. segment 25. blade I32. wire n1". connection 37. wire nr". to contact 38. .As long as this contact, in the closed relation shown. a series ol sparks will be produced. In Fig. l the parts are shown at the linal instant ol this succession ol sparks. namely. at the instant. the primary circuit is broken at the point 38. The sparks have been continuing lor 20 or 30 previous. during all the time that the linger 4 has been in contact with the stop 38. But during this action the spring linger 5 is wholly out ol circuit on account of the disconnection ol the blade 1:30. The continuation ol the battery current and the spark cascade is. there-lore. only lor a small interval belore the action ol the timer upon the finger 4. This economizes battery current, which is important, and also avoids premature ignition which would occur it the battery circuit were closed during 70 or 80, as is the case with dynamo ignition. If a battery cascade of sparks gives a slightly earlier ignition than the single spark of the dynamo ignition, the slight variation can be readily compensated for by adjusting the angular position of the casing 1. The secondary circuit is completed through plate 28, into segment 24, and through the various distributing contacts in. substantially the same way with the battery as with the dynamo. With the dynamo ignition a single secondary impulse passes i'rom the distributing blade 16 at about the position shown in Fig. 1. With the battery ignition a series ol' impulses pass from the blade 16, which is sufliciently long for this purpose, the last one occmring at about the position shown in Fig. 1.

By means of the above it will be seen that I am able to throw in either the dynamo ignition system or the battery ignition system, or cut out both systems, all by the motion of a single switch element, and by the use of a single combined timing and distributing box.

What I claim, is:

1. In an ignition system, a rotating cum, a finger moving against a fixed contact and arranged to be abruptly moved by said cam, an additional blade or finger in the path 01. said cam, and a single switch element for direct ing the primary current ilito both of said fingers.

2. In an ignition system, a continuously rotating cam, a pair of fingers normally included in the primary circuit and arranged in the path oi said cam, and means for cutting one of said fingers out of circuit.

2;. In an ignition system, a continuously rotating cam, a finge moving against a fixed contact and arranged to be abruptly moved by said cam, an additional finger in the path of said cam, a battery and dynamo with induction coils, and means for directing the primary current from the dynamo into both of said fingers, and the primary current from the battery into said pivoted finger.

-l. In an ignition system, a continuously rotating cam, a finger moving against a fixed contact and arranged to be abruptly moved by said cam, a second finger in the path of said cam, and means for including both or one of said lingers in the primary circuit at will.

In an ignition system, a continuously rotating cam, a linger in the path of said cam and arranged to abruptly break the primary circuit, a second finger in the path of said cam and arranged to complete the primary circuit a minute interval after said break, said last named finger being disengaged from the cam before the following break.

(3. In an ignition system, a continuously rotating cam having sharply incut portions separated by equally spaced circumferential sections, a pivoted finger having a cam roller and moving against a fixed stop or contact, an additional finger in the path of said circumferential sections, and means for including both of said fingers in the primary circuit.

7. In an ignition system, a continuously rotating cam, a finger arranged to abruptly break the primary circuit, a battery and dynamo and induction coils therefor, and means for completing the battery circuit through a predetermined interval prior to' its break by said finger, and means whereby the dynamo primary circuit is completed for a longer interval prior to said break.

8. In a distributing system, a combined timer and dis tributer having means for completing the primary current through a long or short interval, a switch having insulated segments with broad and narrow portions and brushes en gaging the respective portions, said segements having a limited angular movement for determining the duration of the primary current.

9. In an ignition system for explosion engines, a battery and dynamo as alternative sources of current, a single point cam lever, means for interrupting the battery current at said cam lever, and a single device for changing the circuits whereby the dynamo current is interrupted at the same cum lever, said device providing means for i11- creasing the duration of the primary circuit closure in case oi the dynamo.

10. In an ignition system for explosion engines, a battery and dynamo as alternating sources of current, a single point cam lever, a single device for changing the circuit whereby the current of either said battery or said dynamo is broken at said lever, and means for establishing a special path independent of said cam lever for the dynamo current prior to the instant when the dynamo circuit is closed at said lever.

11. In an ignition system, a continuously rotating cam, a finger arranged to abruptly break the primary circuit, a battery and dynamo, and an induction coil, means for completing the primary circuit through a predetermined interval prior to its break by said finger, and means where by the dynamo primary circuit is completed for a longer interval prior to said break.

12. In an ignition system for explosion engines, a battery and a dynamo as alternative sources of current, a single point cam lever adapted to be included in circuit with either current source, means for establishing a shunt or multiple circuit around said cam lever when the dynamo is in circuit, said shunt connection continuing for a brief interval up to the instant of the circuit closure at said cam lever and terminating before the circuit rupture at such cam lever.

In witness whereof, I subscribe my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD VARLEY.

Witnesses FRANK S. 0mm, WALDo M. (lI'L-UIN. 

